The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Proverbs 8:13
When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18
A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Proverbs 29:23
Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunk-beauty of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of then that are overcome with wine?
Isaiah 28:1
Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of he devil.
1Timothy 3:1
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father is not in him.
1John 2:16
Mankind cannot object to the fact that there is evil in this world and that evil is propagated by man: therefore there is evil in man. With all that being said, even understood, there is a problem that we must face and that problem is PRIDE! The dictionary provides much information about pride and one such explanation is that PRIDE is a high or inordinate opinion of one's own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, conceit, arrogance: to indulge one's self in a feeling of pride. A person who is proud even though knowing the facts attempts to rationalized these facts, even going so far as to blame God, even if they do not actually believe in a God. Prideful mankind often asks such questions is: Why, that is, why, was it not God who created us? If God did create us then we have all that God created and that includes our evilness. Therefore, God will not hold us accountable for our sins. If God has allowed us to have a fallen nature, and mankind cannot keep them, or does but as man cannot keep them fully, so we should not be held accountable then God will not judge us according to our sins. Mankind then things that somehow this is a valid excuse that excuses him from the guilt of sin. Where does the ability to think for ourselves come into the picture? Are we robots? Are we not able to choose? God could have made us to be like a robot but that would remove humanity. I do not know what life as a robot would be like, but I do know that a robot has no choice except that which might be programmed. We can choose! God allows us to be human. So to say that God cannot hold us accountable for our wrongs is to argue circularly, and this is illogical and makes no sense.
The reasoning non-believers use and apply is another story. Let us say that we show them the flaw in their thinking: this does not mean that they will be open to the words of Scripture. What is needed is communication, an honest dialogue, then there might be a chance of communicating solid arguments of Authentic Christian Faith. To communicate adequately the case for Authentic Christianity (1Peter 3:15), then it is possible their mental gymnastics will not have a part in their objections.
How do we do this? Start with the basics; first do this to explain the unfathomable mind of God. This is the best approach. Too many Christians, preachers, evangelists, teachers, and other Christians too often start at the middle, even the end. This will not work, at least in most cases. Why? If a person does not come to accept God, to see that they are a fallen creature in need of help, they will not accept whatever you forward to them about God and who they are: a fallen creature, prideful, and full of evil, even if that evil is being held at bay. People need to come to the point whereby they acknowledge the goodness and justice of God, not just that they are fallen creature who have a fallen nature, this is not the way for it is not adequate as an excuse for human sin. We all are accountable to God.
Scripture is so clear and plain on the subject of sin. God cannot be blamed for sin and God does not tempt us to sin: "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me" (James 1:13). We, all of us, must come to terms with our sin(s) and we must embrace the solution. This solution is not by the will of man, nor does man have any play in this solution accept that he recognizes that only by God Who is the One Who provides the solution. This solution if accepted, that which He has provided is the only way that we can be kept from that awful judgment that sinners receive. Can man who has truly repented and has truly accepted Jesus Christ as Savior lose their salvation? NO! Remember our study in Revelation: God is going to give to every man, woman, and child, their reward for all that they have said and done. This should cause you and me to examine ourselves from the inside/out to ensure that we are and have become Authentic Christians and that our faith is Authentic Christian Faith.
If My people, which are called by My name,
shall humble themselves, and pray,
and seek My face, and turn from their wicked
ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will
forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
II Chronicles 7:14
Acknowledgement is not enough: You must be Authentic
Richard L. Crumb
No comments:
Post a Comment